Augmentation of ringtones and other signals

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing calling parties the ability to augment, modify, or supplement ringtones or other signals annunciated at a called station. Users interact with the system to allow for modifications of the network service. At the same time, users are given the ability to signal call recipients regarding the importance of an incoming call or the content of the call, or to communicate a calling party's moods, thoughts, needs, or states of mind.

1 . A system for augmenting, modifying, or supplementing a signal annunciated on a called station, the system comprising: 
 a first calling communications station for initiating an outgoing call associated with at least one call type designation;    a second called communications station;    an annunciating signal to be annunciated on said second called communication station in response to the receipt of said call; and    a signal processing module associated with said second called communications station for determining said call type designation of said call;    wherein said annunciating signal is augmented, modified, or supplemented as the result of said call type designation determination.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said annunciating signal comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of ringtone, ringback tones, vibration modes, backlight mode, service light modes, other light modes, music, sound effect, at least one spoken word, video clip, and multimedia.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said augmentation, modification, or supplementation comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of ringtone, ringback tones, vibration modes, backlight mode, service light modes, other light modes, music, sound effect, at least one spoken word, video clip, and multimedia.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation comprises can be chosen on said first calling communications station from a menu.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said menu comprises call type designation icons.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation is indicative of the importance, urgency, or content of the call.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation is indicative of the moods, thoughts, or states of mind of at least one user of said first calling communications station.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation comprises a caller-specified message.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said caller-specified message is indicative of the content of said call.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said caller-specified message is annunciated on said second called communications station.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation is established by at least one user of said first calling communications station.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said call type designation is established automatically.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  where said augmentation, modification, or supplementation comprises altering at least one acoustic property of said signal.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said at least one acoustic property is selected from the list consisting of timbre, pitch, loudness, amplitude, and intensity.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said augmentation, modification, or supplementation comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of altering the speed of annunciation of said annunciating signal, incorporating an undertone or overtone into said annunciating signal, and annunciating a preamble before said annunciating signal.  
   
   
       16 . A method for augmenting, modifying, or supplementing a signal annunciated on a called station, the method comprising the step of: 
 associating, at a calling communications station, at least one call type designation;    modifying at least a portion of a call signal to include data indicative of said call type designation;    receiving, by a called communications station, said call signal;    selecting an annunciating signal to be annunciated in response to the receipt of said call signal; and    augmenting said annunciating signal based on said call type designation.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said call type designation is established by at least one user of said calling communications station.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said call type designation is established automatically.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  where said augmentation comprises altering at least one acoustic property of said annunciating signal.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said at least one acoustic property is selected from the list consisting of timbre, pitch, loudness, amplitude, and intensity.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  where said augmentation comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of altering the speed of annunciation of said annunciating signal, incorporating an undertone or overtone into said annunciating signal, and annunciating a preamble before said annunciating signal.